method of coating a turbine engine component using a light curable mask

Abstract

A method of coating a turbine engine component involves providing the turbine engine component with a first area and a second area. The first area neighbors the second area. A cover is disposed over the first area of the turbine engine component. The second area of the turbine engine component is coated with a first coating curable from exposure to a light. The second area of the turbine engine component is exposed to light resulting in the curing of the first coating. The cover is removed from the first area. The first area of the turbine engine component is then sprayed with a second coating different from the first coating.

1 . A method of coating a turbine engine component, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing the turbine engine component having a first area and a second area, the first area neighboring the second area;   b) disposing a cover over the first area of the turbine engine component;   c) coating the second area of the turbine engine component with a first coating curable from exposure to a light;   d) exposing the second area of the turbine engine component to the light and thereby curing the first coating;   e) removing the cover from the first area; and   f) spraying the first area of the turbine engine component with a second coating different from the first coating.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  including the step of:
 g) curing the second coating, wherein curing the second coating removes the first coating.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein curing the second coating and removing the first coating comprises heating the first coating and the second coating at a temperature sufficient to cure the second coating and sufficient to burn off the first coating. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second coating is curable by exposure to heat. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second coating facilitates reducing the turbine engine component from wear. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first coating is curable by ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cover includes a tape. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein spraying the first area comprises directing a spray of the first coating along an anticipated gas path of air through the turbine engine component. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the turbine engine component is a stator segment. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the second area encompasses a vane of the stator segment. 
     
     
         11 . A method of coating a turbine engine component, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing the turbine engine component having a first area and a second area, the first area neighboring the second area;   b) disposing a cover over the first area of the turbine engine component;   c) spraying the second area of the turbine engine component with a first coating curable from exposure to a light;   d) exposing the second area of the turbine engine component to the light and thereby curing the first coating;   e) removing the cover from the first area; and   f) spraying the first area of the turbine engine component with a second coating curable from heat.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  including the step of:
 g) curing the second coating, wherein curing the second coating removes the first coating.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein curing the second coating and removing the first coating comprises heating the first coating and the second coating at a temperature sufficient to cure the second coating and sufficient to burn away the first coating. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the second coating facilitates reducing the turbine engine component from wear. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the first coating is curable by exposure to ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the cover includes a tape. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein spraying the first area comprises directing a spray of the first coating along an anticipated gas path of air through the turbine engine component. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the turbine engine component is a stator segment. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the second area encompasses a vane of the stator segment. 
     
     
         20 . A system for coating a part, comprising:
 a sprayer for applying a protective coating on a part;   a masking sprayer for applying an ultraviolet light curable coating on the part;   an ultraviolet light source for curing the part; and   an oven for removing the ultraviolet light curable coating and curing the protective coating.